New Zealand Patients First, Minister

ACT
New Zealand Health Spokesman Heather Roy today accused
Health Minister Annette King of giving non-residents free
healthcare at the expense of hard-working New Zealand
taxpayers, in light of reports that foreign mothers are
coming to New Zealand to give birth.

"It is completely
unacceptable that the Minister allows around 1,300
non-residents to receive free healthcare while they give
birth - especially when around 500 of these women are
from countries that do not have reciprocal health
arrangements with New Zealand," Mrs Roy said.

"And
this is only the tip of the iceberg - it is not just
expectant mothers who get a free ride. Foreign students
receive free medical care, pharmaceuticals and
counselling and, just recently, we have seen high-profile
cases where non-residents have received free care to
which they are not entitled.

"Hospital beds cost around
$1,000 a day - a bill footed by the taxpayer. It is
completely outrageous that, while non-residents use these
beds free of charge, the very hard-working taxpayers who
fund our health system are being sent home to die on
waiting lists for chemotherapy, cancer surgery and heart
surgery.

"This is just another flaw in a health system
that is failing New Zealanders at every turn. The
Minister has no other option but to address this loophole
immediately. ACT would not allow any non-resident into
the country without private health insurance.

"I am
calling on Ms King to front up. To pretend she was unaware
of this problem is a huge cop-out. It is time she
started doing her job - she must ensure that Kiwi
patients do not miss out for non-residents looking for a
free ride," Mrs Roy said.

ENDS

For more
information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or
contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.

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